Receiving an eviction notice can be a traumatic event. Your home, whether it is rented or owned, is a personal space that serves as a cornerstone for your life. Facing an eviction notice not only means the potential for losing your home, but your financial stability as well.

When eviction threatens to turn your world upside down, know the facts about your rights as a tenant; it could make the difference in the outcome. Eviction laws vary from state to state, thus, the legal process by which you fight an eviction notice will depend on your state’s laws. Check with your local municipality to learn more about your rights, and then contact your state housing authority to get more details.

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development website has a detailed listing of each state’s laws regarding tenants and landlords. (If you live in government subsidized housing, there may be specific resources to help you through an eviction process.)

What are the Legal Grounds for Eviction?Despite some subtle differences across state lines, there are similar guidelines and strategies regarding evictions and tenant rights. The same applies to why evictions happen in the first place. The most typical reason for an eviction proceeding is nonpayment of rent. In this case, the landlord must tell the tenant, in writing, that payment is due by a specific date.

If a lease has expired, and the tenant does not want to leave, the landlord is within his rights to issue a written eviction notice. If there is no lease (a very undesirable situation for both parties), the landlord is also within his rights to evict.

What Now?If you have received an unfair or unjust eviction notice, review the rental laws in your state to determine if the landlord is within his rights to carry out the eviction. If you think the landlord is not within his rights, you should hire an attorney to defend you and assist in handling court paperwork. Next, gather information you think might be helpful. This includes any photographs you took during the time you lived there, paperwork, receipts (including a receipt for your lawyers’ fees) and payment receipts.

Next, meet with an attorney to discuss your case. Prior to your meeting, have a list of questions and concerns prepared. Attorneys generally set their fees by the hour, so the more organized you are about the process, the fewer billable hours you’ll be charged.

Be prepared to show up in court, and to testify. Your credibility is likely to be challenged if you are unwilling to speak on your own behalf. Many eviction cases end up with the landlord winning by default, simply because the tenant does not appear in court.

Since your landlord must provide you with a written eviction notice, make copies of the letter to bring to court when you defend the eviction. Canceled checks are solid proof that payment has been made and received, even if you have no receipt otherwise.

Know your landlord’s rights as well.

Being familiar with the process he has to go through will make you more knowledgeable about the entire eviction and, as with all things, knowledge is power. Just as there are tenants’ rights, landlords have rights and obligations they must adhere to. If you haven’t been issued a written eviction notice from your landlord, for example, the action will not stand up in court.

Once you make up your mind about how you want to proceed, put the necessary steps in motion. While the legal process does take time, you want to be sure to meet all deadlines, particularly when it comes to matters of the court. Being well-organized and educated about the process will leave nothing to chance, whatever the outcome. Expect the whole process to take at least one month, possibly three, depending on delays, court availability and whether or not the case ends up in a trial.

How Important Is a Lease?If you have a written lease, read it carefully and learn about the provisions for terminating the lease by either party. Some states allow eviction notices to be sent through the mail; others require delivery in person. If you do not have a written lease– that is, if your agreement with the landlord is verbal only– he must typically give you at least as much notice as the length of time between your rent payments.

It’s important to note that oral leases are binding; even those not written on paper have legal standing. Only a court can pass down the legal determination necessary to evict someone from a rental unit. A landlord can put that process into motion, but the directive has to come from the local court. The landlord does not have the legal authority to remove the tenants’ belongings from the premises; this can only be done by law enforcement, with a court order.

The court will also determine where accountability lies for back rent and court fees associated with the eviction process. Remember, depending on where you live, the time it takes for the process to work, either for you or against you, may vary. A metropolitan area might have more eviction cases, but those cases might make it through the court system faster.

Evictions and Emergency SituationsIf your pending eviction presents an emergency situation for your family, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They offer a one-time $250 emergency housing assistance grant to low-income households with children. A $150 grant to prevent utility shut-offs is also available, as well as other assistance. Contact your state for further information.

There may also be help available in locating an attorney. Check to see if your community has legal services, or a legal aid organization. If you are hiring an attorney on your own, look for one who specializes in real estate issues.

One of the best ways to avoid eviction is to have a solid lease agreement. Include this in a checklist of steps to take when looking for a new home.

Tenants should take photos of the apartment as soon as they move in, paying special attention to any damage, imperfections or other issues that could result in a withholding of the security deposit. If possible, take a video walk-through of the unit as well. If your landlord does not return your security deposit, the denial must be in writing, with a specific reason.

Have a reliable source– preferably an attorney– review your lease agreement before you sign it. Or, do your own research and compare it to others standard leases you have signed in the past. Once you understand how an eviction process works, take steps to protect yourself by staying prepared, organized and responsible.

How Would You React in a Crisis?If a disaster struck, would you run screaming for the hills or would you deal with the situation in a calm, composed manner? From earthquakes to wasp stings to car mishaps, a crisis could happen anytime. Take this quiz to find out how you would handle an emergency.